acquired enlightenment

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | 622 words | Copyright

acquired enlightenment. A concept which is found in the Mahāyāna treatise the Mahāyāna-śraddhotpāda Śāstra (The Awakening of Faith in the Mahāyāna) referring to the enlightenment (bodhi) that one acquires as the result of religious training. It is paired with the term ‘original enlightenment’, which is inherent in all things and signifies their subsisting clear and pure nature. Together, these two terms define a soteriology that sees beings as perfected and liberated as they are, and needing religious practice only to realize that this is so.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

DAMIEN KEOWN. "acquired enlightenment." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "acquired enlightenment." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-acquiredenlightenment.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "acquired enlightenment." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-acquiredenlightenment.html

Learn more about citation styles